The San Xavier research mine in Sahuarita has become a hotbed of activity as both government and industry stakeholders invest in the site to explore emerging mining technologies. With the U.S. ramping up its production of critical minerals, this University of Arizona facility plays a pivotal role in advancing the field.
James Werner, the mine’s director, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed focus on domestic mining. “What excites me is the industry coming back,” said Werner. “If you look at how you know mining kind of died in the United States, we became very heavily reliant on importing everything. Bringing it back stateside to me is a good thing. It provides jobs. It provides the minerals we need for everyday life.”
History of the San Xavier Mine
Originally a commercial producer of silver, lead, zinc, and copper, the San Xavier Mine was acquired by the University of Arizona in 1975. This acquisition transformed it into an educational laboratory for training future mining engineers.
As the mining industry evolves, the facilities require modernization. Werner noted, “Machines got bigger and the size of excavations underground got bigger — we kind of outgrew what the mine used to be — being a very historic, old-school, pushing ore carts around underground.” In 2020, the mine entrance was expanded to accommodate larger machinery.
Current Developments
The mine’s primary function remains research-oriented, but its scope is expanding. Over the past seven years, San Xavier has welcomed partnerships with federal agencies, local industries, and startups for equipment testing.
Moe Momayez, associate head of the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources, highlighted the mine’s unique offerings. “The advantage that the mine has is that we are a non-producing mine. So if the partner companies want to test a new technology, for example, they can have access 24/7. Whereas, if they were to test the same technology in a production mine, they may not get access, or they may have very limited time to test,” he said.
The recent $20 million funding is set to bring new technologies, including a microgrid, to the facility, enhancing its research capabilities.
Arizona’s Role in Mining
Arizona plays a critical role in the U.S. mining industry, employing around 50,000 workers and producing 75% of the nation’s copper. The University of Arizona boasts one of the country’s oldest mining schools, graduating 15 to 25 students annually from its accredited program.
Momayez mentioned that the program currently has 50 postgraduate students tackling various industry challenges, ranging from geomechanics to mineral processing.
Sustainable Mining Initiatives
San Xavier Mine is also set to host a pilot plant for processing mineral waste. “Arizona has a lot of mine tailings, which is waste material from the mineral processing at a mine site, and some of those are 100, 100-and-some-odd years old,” Werner explained. The initiative aims to find economically viable ways to extract leftover metals from these tailings.
The pilot plant aligns with the mine’s expansion, fostering further research and innovation in sustainable mining practices.
